Bridgestone Catalunya MotoGP Preview

By Press Release | 6/13/2013 8:52 AM

The following is from Bridgestone…

Round six of the 2013 MotoGP™ season sees the series return to Spain for the Catalan Grand Prix, and the venue for this weekend’s race presents the toughest test for Bridgestone’s tires so far this year.

The Circuit de Catalunya is a fast and flowing circuit and due to its many right-hand corners taken at high speed and large lean angles, it places greater stress on the right shoulder of the rear tire than any other course on the calendar.

Such is the disparity in forces placed on the right and left shoulders of the rear tires that for this circuit, Bridgestone provides asymmetric rear slicks with rubber compounds up to two steps harder on the right shoulder than on the left. At the front end of the bike, the numerous hard braking zones require a tire with good braking stability, though high edge grip is also a priority for the long sweeping corners.

Rear tire compounds for CRT riders at the Catalan Grand Prix are the soft and medium options, while for the works riders, the medium and hard options are available. Although there are particular sections of the circuit that really punish the rear tires, there’s ample time between the twisty sections for the tires to dissipate the excessive heat. Therefore Bridgestone has supplied rear slicks in the heat-resistant construction only for the softest, CRT-specific option, as this option uses very soft rubber and the special construction will prevent the tire from reaching temperatures outside of its normal operating zone. Front tire options for the Catalan Grand Prix are the medium and hard compounds, as these slick options provide the greatest level of cornering stability.

Due to the general harshness of the Montmeló circuit, the main wet tire for this race weekend will be the hard compound.